Presentation of cases in emergency situations.

Theoretical-Practical Work

National Autonomous University of Honduras

1101-ECODEPORTES ECOTOURISM
 INTRODUCTION

The objective of presenting cases in emergency situations is to define

the sequence of actions of the people present at the place when it

declares the emergency, to reduce personal injuries, property damage and

to facilities, as well as the interruption of activities.

Knowing how we should react in an unexpected moment can help to

save lives. Emergency situations can arise at any moment, already

be a person who has suffered a choking, a victim who has had

a traffic accident or a person who has suffered a stop

cardiopulmonary.

In any of the following cases, perform first aid techniques.

During the first few minutes, it is crucial to keep the victim alive.

During this first minute, if we act correctly, we can prevent

many sequels.

The need to act quickly and appropriately can only be done if

we have knowledge about first aid, hence its importance. Therefore, it is

It is very important to know how to react and what we have to do.

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 Objectives for each case

Case #1: The objective in this case is to be able to correctly apply the maneuver of

Heimlich in case a person is choking, this maneuver can

save anyone's life.

Case #2: In the case of wounds or cuts, the objective when treating it is to achieve that the

the wound heals normally, without complications, allowing the

restoration of function.

Case #3: When treating a burn, our main objectives are:

reduce pain, protect the damaged area, prevent skin dehydration

to promote skin regeneration and prevent possible infections.

And in the case of a severe burn, treating it in time can save a life.

of the affected.

Case #4: The goal of treating a person who has fainted is to help them

recover consciousness and prevent him from fainting again. In case of losing the

Awareness to call 911.

Case #5: The goal when treating a fracture is to align the bone fragments.

new in its place, control the pain, give the bone time to heal, prevent

complications and restore normal use of the fractured area.

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 Caso #1: Obstrucción de la vía aérea

A person can get something (food or) stuck in their throat.

object), which can prevent oxygen from reaching the lungs.

Choking can happen to people of different ages. It is common in the

smaller ones, who put objects they find anywhere into their mouths. But

it can also happen to teenagers and adults for taking very large bites or a

bone by accident.

In a situation like this, we must act immediately to prevent the person from

asphyxia.

THE IMPORTANT THING IS TO ACT QUICKLY.

Situation (based on reality): Luisa, about 14 years old, is sitting in

a sofa next to her sister and her mom peacefully enjoying eating plums,

Following this, she gets up to go in search of more fruit.

Luisa completely forgot to take the plum seed out of her mouth and that's how

when she stands up, she stumbles by accident, then Luisa begins to suffer

a choking due to the object that is stuck in his throat.

Luisa feels like she can't breathe, so she puts her hands on her neck.

continuation, her face begins to redden so her family realizes the

situation and immediately proceed to help her.

How should one proceed in a situation like this?

Hug the person from behind and under their arms.

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 2. Place one of your hands in a closed fist four fingers above their belly button,

in the midline of the stomach

Place your other hand over the fist.

4. Lean your body a little forward

5. Hacé presión sobre el abdomen en sentdo hacia atrás y arriba.

6. Continue the maneuver until the object that is blocking comes out.

What can you do if the choking person faints?

Lay the person on their back.

Perform 5 compressions on the stomach area.

Evaluate if he/she responds and breathes.

If it's still stuck, repeat everything back.

If you did three sets of 5 compressions, the person does not respond and their face becomes

bluish, start CPR on him.

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 Prevent the risk of choking

In children

Prevent kids from playing with toys that have small pieces. The toys come with

indications about the appropriate age for the child to use it with fewer risks.

Keep marbles, stones, thumbtacks, balloons, and other small objects away from

the reach of children, especially those under 3 years old.

Avoid letting the kids run, play, or walk with food or toys in the

mouth.

Avoid letting children under 4 years old eat choking hazards.

easily, like sausages, nuts, hard or sticky candies, popcorn and

peanuts.

In adults

Take small portions of food to your mouth, and chew the food in

slow and careful way, especially if you wear dentures.

Avoid laughing and talking while you chew and swallow.

Case #2: Cuts and Wounds

One of the most common household accidents is cuts.

We can cut ourselves with a sharp object (scissors, knife, broken glass, etc.) or like

consequence of a blow (with the edge of a bed, with the open door of the cupboard,

for example).

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These injuries can be cuts (caused by knives, cans, glass), punctures

(by sharp objects) bruises (from blows) or tears in the skin from scrapes or

friction. To avoid possible consequences such as an infection or poor

Healing is essential to treat them correctly.

If there are embedded objects, they should not be removed, as they may be covering

the wound and stopping the bleeding. One must go to a healthcare center.

In most cases, they are not serious or life-threatening. However,

we must avoid infections or healing problems.

Situation: It was a very relaxing weekend, Ramón and his mom were preparing

everything for a barbecue they were having, all of this was being done while they arrived

his family and other guests.

In that, Ramón decided to help by cutting vegetables, and that's how by accident he took the

knife on the wrong side, the knife was so sharp that it caused him an injury

something profound.

His mother realized it immediately and ran to help him.

What can you do?

In case of a superficial cut

 Wash the area of the wound with plenty of tap water to clean the dirt.

with a neutral soap and rinse it well. Do not use cotton, alcohol, powders, or ointments.

 Dry the wound with gauze, making small touches from the inside out, without

to rub it.

 Apply a disinfectant substance once it is dry.

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 Cover with a sterile gauze and secure it with adhesive fabric or sterilized gauze tape.

examine it. If it gets soaked, replace it with a new one.

 As the wound starts to heal forming a scab, it does not need to be covered.

more.

In case of deep cut

 Wash carefully with running water (to see the wound better and to appreciate

its size).

 Using the palm of the hand, press the area with sterile gauze or a clean cloth.

for five minutes, directly and evenly, to stop the bleeding.

 When the blood soaks the gauze, it should not be removed, but another piece should be used.

on top of the previous one and continue to exert pressure on it.

 If there are embedded objects, these should not be removed, as they may be

covering the wound and blocking the bleeding. One must go to a center

assistance.

 If the child is in pain, medication such as paracetamol can be given according to the

recommended dosage by the pediatrician.

 When the wound is deep and very dirty, always consult to evaluate the

need for the use of antibiotics and tetanus vaccine.

 After the cut, it is normal for the wound to bleed for a few minutes, but then it should

to form a clot that covers it. In case rest is not maintained

appropriate, it is possible that it will bleed again.

 In the first 48 hours, the wound shows inflammation with signs of

reddening, pain, and heat in the damaged area. If after this period, this

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 it persists, it means that they got infected, in which case one must go immediately to a

assistance center.

Prevent injuries and cuts

 Use knives, scissors, and other tools with care and in well-lit areas.

glass elements.

 Put protection on the edges and protruding corners of tables, countertops, and beds.

 Prevent the kids from opening cans and handling glass objects (glasses, bottles,

bottles, etc.)

 Use a can opener in good condition.

 If there are kids or people with vision problems, put a decorative self-adhesive sticker.

the glass windows to prevent someone from getting cut by thinking they were

open.

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 Case #3: Burns

A burn is an injury to the body's tissues caused by heat, substances

chemicals, electricity, the sun or radiation.

A person can get burned if any part of their body is exposed to fire or to

an important heat source: a burner, oil or boiling caramel, steam, a

iron, electricity.

Situation: Marisela, a 25-year-old young woman who loves to cook, decides to prepare.

lunch for your family.

She is alone at home because her family went out to run errands so

Start preparing everything to have it ready on time. He thought of making fried chicken.

with some kind of salad; as this is everyone's favorite food at home.

She was very happy preparing everything. When she was going to fry the chicken, she accidentally...

oil fell on his hand, causing a first-degree burn.

Quickly, Marisela ran to treat the burn properly.

What can you do?

If the burn is superficial, it may be enough to turn on the cold water tap and put

underwater the affected area.

If the burn is more severe: calm the person who was burned.

Remove clothing, rings, bracelets, and belts near the affected area.

Hacé correr agua fría de la canilla sobre la parte que se quemó.

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Call the SEM (Emergency Medical System) or take the person to an emergency room.

doctor.

In Marisela's case, it was a first-degree burn, so she acted accordingly.

the following indications:

If you have determined that the burn Apply aloe vera or an ointment for
it is of first degree in function of its burns. You have a plant of
aspect and texture, come closer quickly, aloe vera, apply the gel directly on the If necessary, take painkillers.
but calmly to a sink. burn

Supervise the burn: After

rinse it and treat it, supervise it to
make sure it doesn't become a
second degree burn

If it is something more serious, call emergency services.

Prevent burns

When you cook or heat food or liquids, always use the burners.

back.

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 2. Do not fill the kettles and pots so that the weight of the content doesn't make it fall.

hot.

3. Check that the handles of the kitchen items (pots, pans, kettles) do not

they are loose.

4. Store lighters, matches, and flammable liquids in a safe place, away

of the boys.

5. Do not leave braziers, cigarettes, or candles lit overnight.

Do not hang clothes over the stove.

7. Do not leave irons on or pots on the fire within reach of the kids.

8. Use hot water bags with a safety cap.

Case #4: Fainting

When a person faints, they suddenly lose consciousness and faint.

but he doesn't stop breathing. The main risk that could occur is that he could hit himself.

lose stability or fall.

Some symptoms before fainting are:

Sudden weakness (very low blood pressure)

Very pale skin

Cold sweat

Blurred vision

It can happen to people who have no illness or special condition.

for many and various reasons:

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Due to a strong emotion.

For being in an enclosed space with poor ventilation.

Due to having a panic or anxiety attack.

Because he is fasting.

Due to a heatstroke.

Due to a phobia.

Situation: It was a Friday, quite hot, by the way, I was in the

bus stop to take the bus back home, and then a appeared next to me.

a girl named Dayana. This girl was headed to the same place as me, so we took

We took the bus. The transport was quite crowded, so we decided to stand.

even so, we felt very suffocated by the heat and the suffocation of others

persons.

In that, Dayana tells me that she feels a little bad due to the lack of ventilation.

bus, but we didn't pay much attention because we would soon arrive at our place of

destination. Following this, I notice that the girl is breathing with great difficulty and she

she had become very pale, so I ask her if she feels okay; she answers me that she

she feels a little weak but it's nothing serious and that's how Dayana loses instantly.

the consciousness and faints.

I tried to grab her as quickly as I could so she wouldn't suffer any blows, then the

I leaned a little to treat her along with the help of the people on board.

bus.

To help Dayana, I followed the following instructions:

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 What can you do?

I checked that the person is breathing, to know that what they suffered was a fainting spell.

Check that the person has not hit themselves, especially on the head, and that there is no

suffered cuts or fractures.

I checked if she lost consciousness or seems like she is lost or confused.

Since the person is breathing and is not injured or bruised, I moved them to a place with good

ventilation.

If she fainted in a very hot place, I took her to a cool place or to the shade.

If he/she fainted in a cold place, a coat would need to be put on top of him/her so that he/she does not get cold.

lower the body temperature.

She lost consciousness, so I laid her on the floor, loosened her clothing (buttons or zippers)

from the neck, ties) and placed my feet on a high object (the seat of a chair, a

stack of bags, a box), so that their legs are elevated and the pressure

blood suba.

If she did not lose consciousness, she should be laid on her back on the floor, loosen her

clothes and ask him to cough several times.

Until she was completely recovered, I didn't offer her food or drinks. When she

he recovered, I offered him water, never an alcoholic drink.

Then, I accompanied her until she recovered.

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 Keep in mind

If the person falls and gets hurt, follow the instructions we give you.

about cuts and wounds or about fractures, as appropriate.

If the fainting lasts more than 5 minutes, call emergency services. They may have another condition.

what caused the fainting and what we don't know what it is.

Si tiene convulsiones, puede ser que tenga una crisis epiléptica.

In the case of pregnant women and the elderly, you need to pay special attention.

Pregnant women, because they may suffer a blow that affects their condition. Adults

older adults, because they can faint due to other age-related complications:

cardiac history, high or low blood pressure, neurological issues, diabetes, dehydration or

others.

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 Case #5: Fractures

Whether due to an accident, impact, or fall, a person can suffer one or more

deformations in their limbs, torso, or head, which could be fractures or

traumas. In that case, we must take some precautions until they receive the

adequate medical care.

Situation: When Rebeca went out to play in the park with her brothers, she didn't think at all

a second that could end the day like this. She went on all the swings, played ball,

He went down the slide several times and had a great time.

It's time to go back home! - said their mother to the three children.

The three brothers responded to their mother's call. Rebeca got on her bicycle and

he started to pedal in front of everyone.

"What happened to you?!" shouted the mother, frightened, when she saw the girl on the ground.

She immediately ran to her aid. Rebeca was crying and didn't want anyone to touch her. She had blood on her

arm and complained of pain.

Her mother immediately realized that his arm was broken so the best thing was

take her to the hospital immediately.

At the hospital, they told him that he had broken the ulna, a bone in the arm, so they had to

to operate it.

Rebeca's mother acted according to the following:

What could he/she do?

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Since the fracture was in an arm, on the hand, I remove the jewelry that the girl could be wearing.

I can.

Since the fracture was in an arm, it is not exposed (the bone does not protrude through the skin) and the girl

He can walk without assistance, I immobilized the limb and took him to a medical guard.

In case the girl had not been able to walk without help, or the fracture was not in the arms or

legs, I would call the SEM (Emergency Medical System).

What can you do if the ambulance takes a long time to arrive:

How to immobilize a fractured arm or leg?

Place a rigid and clean object (wood, stick, cardboard) along the injured arm or leg.

thick). The object must be longer than the arm or the leg, because you also have to

immobilize a little beyond the joints, so the movement does not cause more pain.

For example, if the fracture is in the forearm, you need to immobilize the elbow as well.

doll.

Carefully, secure the object to the arm with a handkerchief, clothing item, or clean cloth. If the

The fracture is in an arm, you can also make a sling (supporting arm) with a handkerchief, fabric or

scarf

Secure the arm in an uninjured area and pass the cloth around the neck.

Then wait for the doctors.

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 Conclusions

The main purpose of first aid is to keep the vital signs stable.

vital signs of the victim at first, before help arrives

healthcare professional. We must try to minimize the damage by ensuring that

may there be minimal possible consequences for the injured.

2. In cases such as choking or cardiac arrest, react to

Time and knowing the steps to take can save lives. For every minute of delay

in care, the possibility of survival is reduced by 10%. Therefore

It is essential to know how to act quickly.

Your performance in an emergency is vital. Always remain calm.

4. We are not always aware of the importance of having knowledge of

first aid in an emergency situation. Knowing how we have to

Reacting at an unexpected moment can help save lives.

5. Emergency situations can arise at any moment, whether at a

person who has suffered choking, a victim who has had a

traffic accident or a person who has suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest.

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 Recommendations

In case of emergencies like the ones mentioned above, you must remain calm.

use the phone in case of need and provide information clearly in order to

to help.

All these instructions may seem obvious, but they are not always followed.

correctly, since we are exposed to an event that produces us

stress and nerves, against which we are not used to dealing. That is why it is important

remember the steps to follow in an emergency situation.

In case of an emergency, first assess the situation using the P-A-S technique.

Protect: protect yourself, avoid new accidents or victims, protect the

victim.

Alert: alert the Emergency Services by calling 9-1-1. Provide details.

of place, number of injured, status, and contact number.

Rescue: within your knowledge, apply first aid techniques and let yourself

guide by the professionals who will attend to your call. They will provide you with guidelines to follow

until the arrival of the health services.

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